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Pat Utomi defends shadow govt despite APC, FG criticisms

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Pat Utomi

Pat Utomi defends shadow govt despite APC, FG criticisms

Prof. Pat Utomi has responded to critics, including those from the All Progressives Congress and the Federal Government, who have described his Shadow Government idea as political drama, unconstitutional, or even rebellious.

On Friday, the political economist stressed in a statement titled “In Service of Country, In Obedience to Conscience” that the formation of the shadow cabinet was not an attack on the state or a quest for power, but “a citizens’ platform for responsible democratic opposition”.

“Let me state this plainly: The Shadow Government is not a rebellion. It is not a claim to executive authority. It is not a parallel structure to the state.

“Rather, it is a citizens’ platform for responsible democratic opposition—an initiative rooted firmly in the Nigerian Constitution,” Utomi declared.

His comments come amid growing criticism from government officials and governing party figures, who have labelled the shadow government as “drama” and “a threat to constitutional order”.

However, Utomi contradicted the storyline, saying, “To label this a ‘drama’ is to miss the point: the real theatre is what millions of Nigerians are forced to perform each day just to survive.”

The Big Tent Shadow Government, he added, developed from serious concern about Nigeria’s deteriorating conditions.

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“We launched this initiative not out of bitterness, ambition, or theatrical impulse—but because our country is hurting.

“Millions are hungry. Prices are rising. Businesses are closing. Security is deteriorating. And hope is thinning,” it read.

Utomi emphasised that the platform’s mission is to present policy alternatives, spark civic dialogue, and restore accountability in governance—voids he says are widening under the current political establishment.

“This is not a political party. It is not an electoral platform. It is a national conscience project—a space for voices that refuse to be silent in the face of national decline,” he said.

He called on government leaders and security institutions, the professor extended respect while offering a challenge: “This initiative is not designed to undermine your authority.

“It is designed to awaken our shared responsibility. We come not with violence or confrontation, but with ideas, dialogue, and discipline.”

He urged fellow citizens to engage, not merely spectate; Utomi framed the movement as a moral duty in a time of national crisis.

It continued, “Let it be remembered that when silence became dangerous, some spoke. Not to incite, but to inspire. Not to divide, but to reform. Not to shame, but to awaken.”

“Because Nigeria must rise—not by decree, but by design. Not through coercion, but through courage. Not in shadows—but in truth,” it concluded.

Amid criticism, the Big Tent Coalition says it will press on, with shadow ministers soon expected to present sector-specific policy alternatives and organise citizen dialogues across the country.

 

Pat Utomi defends shadow govt despite APC, FG criticisms

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Lagos Club Robbery: Police Arrest Suspect After N5m Bounty

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Lagos Club Robbery: Police Arrest Suspect After N5m Bounty

Lagos Club Robbery: Police Arrest Suspect After N5m Bounty

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a suspected member of the gang that allegedly robbed clubgoers outside Ghost and Spirits Lounge on Ekoro Road, Abule Egba, Lagos.

The suspect was reportedly identified from video footage of the incident, which showed several people being attacked outside the entertainment venue in the early hours of the morning.

The Lagos club robbery reportedly occurred at about 4am on Saturday after some customers had left the lounge and gathered around their vehicles.

Footage from the scene showed several clubgoers sitting around a vehicle when the suspected robbers approached.

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One of the suspects, reportedly dressed in a green shirt and cap, appeared to move among the people before allegedly targeting one of the victims.

Another member of the group was reportedly seen in an SUV parked across the road before a gunshot was fired, causing some of the people at the scene to run for safety.

The suspect in the green shirt was then allegedly seen taking a wristwatch from one of the victims, while other members of the group reportedly collected valuables before escaping in their vehicle.

Following the incident, the management of the lounge announced a N5 million reward for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators.

The reward and subsequent investigation helped the police identify and track one of the suspects, who was eventually arrested.

A police source said the suspect was in custody and being interrogated, with investigators seeking information that could lead to the arrest of the other alleged members of the gang.

The Lagos Police Command has also intensified efforts to locate the remaining suspects, who are reportedly still at large.

The incident has raised concerns among residents and nightlife customers in Abule Egba, particularly over the security of people leaving entertainment venues during the early hours.

Police authorities have urged residents with useful information about the suspects or the robbery to assist the investigation.

The arrested suspect remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court, while investigations continue into the alleged robbery and the identities and whereabouts of the other suspects.

Lagos Club Robbery: Police Arrest Suspect After N5m Bounty

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Passenger Dies After Jumping From Moving Bus In Lagos

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Passenger Dies After Jumping From Moving Bus In Lagos

Passenger Dies After Jumping From Moving Bus In Lagos

A passenger has died after jumping from a moving commercial bus at Ogunlana Junction, inward Ojuelegba, in the Surulere area of Lagos.

The incident involved a Volkswagen commercial bus with registration number LND 130 XR, which reportedly crashed into a median pole around the Fallout area of Surulere.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said preliminary security reports indicated that the driver was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and had been driving recklessly shortly before the crash.

According to the agency, motorists approaching the bus from behind had to exercise caution to avoid colliding with the vehicle as it reportedly moved erratically.

Amid the incident, a male passenger reportedly jumped from the moving bus, apparently attempting to escape from the uncontrolled vehicle. He sustained serious injuries after hitting the ground and later died from his injuries.

LASTMA officials conducting routine traffic surveillance along the Ojuelegba axis responded to the scene after noticing the crash. They secured the area, managed traffic and removed the damaged bus and the deceased passenger from the carriageway to reduce the risk of a secondary collision.

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Police officers from the Area C Police Division, Ojuelegba, provided security at the scene, while officials of the State Emergency Management Agency evacuated the remains of the deceased.

LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, described the incident as a reminder of the dangers associated with driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving and operating vehicles that may not be mechanically fit for the road.

Bakare-Oki urged commercial and private motorists to conduct comprehensive checks on their vehicles before every journey, with particular attention to the braking system, tyres, steering mechanism and other critical safety components.

He also commiserated with the family of the deceased and reaffirmed LASTMA‘s commitment to responding promptly to road crashes, managing traffic and clearing accident scenes.

The agency urged motorists and other road users to report accidents, vehicle breakdowns and other traffic obstructions through its toll-free short code, 3367.

Passenger Dies After Jumping From Moving Bus In Lagos

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Kubwa Explosion: Vehicle Crashes Into Gas Outlet, Damages Nine Shops

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Kubwa Explosion- Vehicle Crashes Into Gas Outlet, Damages Nine Shops

Kubwa Explosion: Vehicle Crashes Into Gas Outlet, Damages Nine Shops

Panic broke out in Kubwa, Abuja, on Sunday morning after a gas explosion rocked the Liberty Junction area, following a vehicle crash into a roadside gas retail outlet.

The incident occurred at about 6:15 a.m., sending a powerful blast through the area and causing nearby buildings to shake, while thick smoke and flames rose from the affected facility.

The vehicle reportedly veered off the road and crashed into the gas outlet, triggering the explosion and subsequent fire.

The impact affected several businesses around the junction, with reports indicating that nine shops were damaged or destroyed by the ensuing fire.

A nearby police traffic post was also reportedly uprooted by the force of the explosion, while other structures and sections of the surrounding area were damaged.

The vehicle involved in the crash was badly burnt in the incident. Emergency responders, however, reportedly rescued the driver and a child from the wreckage.

The injured driver was taken to a medical facility for treatment, while emergency personnel worked to prevent the fire from spreading to other shops and properties in the densely populated area.

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The explosion triggered panic among residents and commuters, with people reportedly rushing away from the scene as the fire continued to burn.

Emergency response agencies, including the Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Police Force, were deployed to the scene.

Firefighters battled the flames for hours before the situation was brought under control.

The incident also caused significant traffic disruption around Liberty Junction and the Kubwa axis, as motorists slowed down and emergency responders worked at the scene.

Security personnel subsequently moved people away from the immediate area and helped manage traffic while the damaged vehicle and other debris were cleared.

Initial reports did not indicate a confirmed death from the explosion, although the driver was reported to have sustained injuries.

Authorities had yet to provide a detailed official account explaining why the vehicle veered off the road or confirming the full extent of the damage and injuries as of the time of reporting.

The incident has again drawn attention to safety concerns surrounding gas outlets located close to busy roads, shops and residential areas, particularly in densely populated parts of the Federal Capital Territory.

Further assessment by relevant authorities is expected to establish the precise circumstances of the crash, the extent of the property damage and whether any safety breaches contributed to the incident.

Kubwa Explosion: Vehicle Crashes Into Gas Outlet, Damages Nine Shops

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